Meet the Team
Meet the faces behind our journey to cultivate sustainable and regenerative systems. Discover their unique backgrounds, passions, and contributions to our mission of a sustainable future.
Permanent members – The Pigadians
Meet Jules
Jules is the founder and dreamer of Dio Pigadia. Coming from a background in academia, studying sociology and political philosophy, he came from the library not the land. Sitting at a desk with a computer he felt the need for the outdoors and left the office for the sea, teaching sailing lessons and repairing boats in France. Working in shipyards he learnt essential manual skills that would prove valuable in his future at the farm. He eventually set sail solo across the world exploring different places and new cultures. Feeling a responsibility and duty to the earth and guided by a desire to grow his roots, he dreamt up Dio Pigadia. The project focuses on an alternate way of living, and co-creating a better future together. The volunteers started to come by themselves, guided by a similar philosophy in the face of the ecological crisis. Dio Pigadia is a community-based ever-growing project. Education, ecology and living together are the key pillars we experience and share. If you can’t find Jules, he’ll be rummaging in the tip for up-cycled materials or conversing with the donkey — Vouno.
Role: Manager, Social media, Volunteer coordination
Stay: October 2018 — Present
Favourite activity on the farm: Dreaming about the future of the farm
Why did you come here? A mix of destiny, luck and love.
Favourite quote: “The tragic reality is that very few sustainable systems are designed by those who hold power, and the reason for this is obvious and simple: to let people arrange their own food, energy and shelter is to lose economic and political power over them. We should cease to look for power structures, hierarchical systems or governments to help us and devise ways to help ourselves.”- Bill Mollison
Meet James
James decided to make a pivot in his life, coming from France to Greece in search of community and a change of routine. From his multiple visits to Greece, he fell in love with the landscapes, language, people and most importantly- the food. Known as the “handy-man” he spends most of his time in the workshop working with his hands to create both functional and artistic objects. James consumes approximately 1.3 litres of coffee a day, and finds enjoyment in the simple pleasure of pairing a cup of coffee with a cigarette. Or 10.
Role: Construction, DIY, Welding, Maintenance
Stay: October 2023 — Present
Favourite activity on the farm: Sharing group projects and creating things together
Why did you come here? Because I was interesting in how the community here functions. There was an appealing feel to it, its nice to be a part of something that is growing.
Favourite quote: “Wise words and gentle hands create nicest worlds”
Meet Vaso
Coming from the urban jungle of Kallithea, Greece, Vaso wanted change her lifestyle to be closer to nature and be apart of communal living. She strongly believes that the fast-paced modern living is not conducive to environmental or physical health. A desire to depart from that lifestyle brought her to Dio Pigadia. With her Master degree in Global Environmental change, Vaso wants to live harmoniously with nature and takes every step towards sustainable living. She loves any kind of movement and practices pole dancing whenever she gets the chance. Her love of animals draws her to the horse and donkey pen, taking them out for a walk every day. If you can’t find Vaso she’ll be chasing after her cheeky dog — Darma.
Role: Administration, Nectar Rentals
Stay: November 2023 — Present
Favourite activity on the farm: Taking the horse and donkey on a walk or exercising.
Why did you come here? It’s always been my dream to be close to nature and connected to the land living a communal lifestyle.
Favourite quote: “Be the good you want to see in the world”
Decision making
Dio Pigadia is a self-organized and co-creative project! This means that all the decisions are made through assemblies in which all involved persons who will be affected by the decision take part. We have 2 main weekly assemblies the Feedback meeting and the Organizational meeting.
Get to know the amazing individuals and their stories who volunteered throughout Greece.
Read the Story of Didi and Nini being at Yamochori.
Read the Story of James and his stay at the Greek Orthodox Monastery.
Read the Story of Camille being at Kathy´s Island Retreat.
Read the Story of Manos staying at a permaculture farm in Vrisi.
Read the Story of Sarah and Anders being at Candili Natural organic farm.
